``Hi, ole sport!'' he cried, ``I want to meet that Miss Pratt before we start.The car'll be along pretty soon, and I got her picked for the girl I'm goin' to sit by.''
The laughter of William and Joe Bullitt, designed to express cordiality, suddenly became flaccid and died.If Mr.Crooper had been a sensitive person he might have perceived the chilling disapproval in their glances, for they had just begun to be most unfavorably impressed with him.The careless loudness--almost the notoriety--with which he had uttered Miss Pratt's name, demanding loosely to be presented to her, regardless of the well-known law that a lady must first express some wish in such matters--these were indications of a coarse nature sure to be more than uncongenial to Miss Pratt.Its presence might make the whole occasion distasteful to her --might spoil her day.Both William and Joe Bullitt began to wonder why on earth Johnnie Watson didn't have any more sense than to invite such a big, fat lummox of a cousin to the party.
This severe phrase of theirs, almost simultaneous in the two minds, was not wholly a failure as a thumb-nail sketch of Mr.George Crooper.
And yet there was the impressiveness of size about him, especially about his legs and chin.
At seventeen and eighteen growth is still going on, sometimes in a sporadic way, several parts seeming to have sprouted faster than others.
Often the features have not quite settled down together in harmony, a mouth, for instance, appearing to have gained such a lead over the rest of a face, that even a mother may fear it can never be overtaken.Voices, too, often seem misplaced; one hears, outside the door, the bass rumble of a sinister giant, and a mild boy, thin as a cricket, walks in.The contrary was George Crooper's case; his voice was an unexpected piping tenor, half falsetto and frequently girlish --as surprising as the absurd voice of an elephant.
He had the general outwardness of a vast and lumpy child.His chin had so distanced his other features that his eyes, nose, and brow seemed almost baby-like in comparison, while his mountainous legs were the great part of the rest of him.He was one of those huge, bottle-shaped boys who are always in motion in spite of their cumbersomeness.His gestures were continuous, though difficult to interpret as bearing upon the subject of his equally continuous conversation;
and under all circumstances he kept his conspicuous legs incessantly moving, whether he was going anywhere or remaining in comparatively one spot.
His expression was pathetically offensive, the result of his bland confidence in the audible opinions of a small town whereof his father was the richest inhabitant--and the one thing about him, even more obvious than his chin, his legs, and his spectacular taste in flannels, was his perfect trust that he was as welcome to every one as he was to his mother.This might some day lead him in the direction of great pain, but on the occasion of the ``subscription party'' for Miss Pratt it gave him an advantage.
``When do I get to meet that cutie?'' he insisted, as Johnnie Watson moved backward from the cousinly arm, which threatened further flailing.
``You intradooced me to about seven I can't do much FOR, but I want to get the howdy business over with this Miss Pratt, so I and she can get things started.I'm goin' to keep her busy all day!''
``Well, don't be in such a hurry,'' said Johnnie, uneasily.``You can meet her when we get out in the country--if I get a chance, George.''
``No, sir!'' George protested, jovially.``I guess you're sad birds over in this town, but look out! When I hit a town it don't take long till they all hear there's something doin'! You know how I am when I get started, Johnnie!'' Here he turned upon William, tucking his fat arm affectionately through William's thin one.``Hi, sport! Ole Johnnie's so slow, YOU toddle me over and get me fixed up with this Miss Pratt, and I'll tell her you're the real stuff--after we get engaged!''
He was evidently a true cloud-compeller, this horrible George.
